Labels

What's in a name? Jesus asked, "Who do men say that I am?" Should you care?

We are living in a society that is obsessed with labels. There is constant invention of new identities. At times it is hard to keep up. Who did you say you were, again??

I tread carefully here. Intentionally. A label is not inherently evil. Neither is a label inherently good. A label is neither bad nor good, just because it is a label. Sometimes they are both true and properly applied. However...

Labels are too oft liberally handed out; too willingly picked up; too seldom divinely inquired about.

We have all been subject to societal labelling. Sadly, the church is not exempt.

You are sick. You are stupid. You are divorced. You are a failure. You are legalistic.

You get the drift.

If you have a can of diced tomatoes, it doesn't matter how fancy the label is that you affix to the side of the container, it will never be sweetened condensed milk.

When discussing labels, it's important to remember this singular truth: Labels do not dictate to contents. They simply reveal contents. A label does not a preacher make. I would 100 times over BE a millionaire, than be called one.

Labels are valuable.

On a recent trip to one of our FWC campuses in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, I noticed that the name of the large arena downtown had been changed since my last visit. $1.5 million had been given to control the naming rights to the building. The building looks the same; it's purpose remains the same; it seats the same amount of people. The only thing that changed was the name. And that didn't happen for free.

Another truth:

Only allow those who are willing to invest in you to be involved with identifying you.

Social media has given everyone a label printing machine. In as few as 200 characters, we can relegate a fellow human being (that we probably haven't even met) to a label that they may spend the rest of their life outliving... or, at least trying. It may not be a bad idea for the church to step back for a moment and realize what she has been caught up in.

Think with me:

David committed adultery. God didn't label him an adulterer.

When Simon Peter accurately identified Jesus as the son of God, he unleashed the power of God to re-brand himself. If Jesus Christ is not simply a 'prophet' or a resurrected Elias, HE can be your redeemer. Jesus Christ has the ability to make every Simon Peter an Apostle Peter.

Child of God. Wayward prodigal. There is no one that has more invested in you than Jesus Christ. If anyone is going to "label" you, let it be HEAVEN!

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